In God We Trust sign prominently posted in FCPS Middle School main office

[Anonymous]

I walked into the office to pick up my daughter yesterday and noticed an 8.5 x 11 sign stating "In God We Trust" in a prominent location in the main office.

This seems at best inappropriate and at worst like a brazen attempt to bring personal religious beliefs into a public space (unfortunately I do think it is legal). I happen to know, because of the Principal's Instagram account, that she is extremely religious. I respect her personal beliefs and her right to express them in a private context.

But as someone who has carefully raised their children without religion and God, this sign is offensive to me. Whether or not it is intentional, it effectively others and intimidates constituents of that school who don't believe in God. Even if it only offends a few people, isn't that enough? Why is this necessary?

I know. It's on our money and it's in the pledge, but my kids can opt to not say the God part in the pledge. They can't opt not to go into the main office.

I filled out a discrimination complaint online, but I doubt anything will come of it (there are certainly more immediate issues in that arena for that office to address).

I am considering writing a kind and good faith note to the principal from an anonymous email address. Any (kind and in good faith) thoughts on that approach or ideas for ways to resolve this without backlash against my kids?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

check your wallet and see what your money says.

[Anonymous]

You sound insufferably intolerant.

[Anonymous]

That’s a lot of energy for an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper.

[Anonymous]

OP, I don’t disagree with you. But why do you have to do it anonymously? If you feel that strongly about it and also think it’s probably illegal (which it very well may be), then put your money where your mouth is and sign your polite note. What are you afraid of, that your middle school principal will ostracize your kids and cause them harm? Somehow I don’t see that happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don’t disagree with you. But why do you have to do it anonymously? If you feel that strongly about it and also think it’s probably illegal (which it very well may be), then put your money where your mouth is and sign your polite note. What are you afraid of, that your middle school principal will ostracize your kids and cause them harm? Somehow I don’t see that happening.

+1

If you would like to communicate with the principal and the school administration, then do so. Writing an anonymous letter is silly and ineffective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I don’t disagree with you. But why do you have to do it anonymously? If you feel that strongly about it and also think it’s probably illegal (which it very well may be), then put your money where your mouth is and sign your polite note. What are you afraid of, that your middle school principal will ostracize your kids and cause them harm? Somehow I don’t see that happening.

Might want to check before declaring the national motto “illegal.” Multiple states require its display.

[Anonymous]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_motto#:~:text=The%20modern%20motto%20of%20the,on%20U.S.%20coins%20in%201864.

It's the national motto as well.

and

Virginia requires it's display.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_national_motto#:~:text=The%20modern%20motto%20of%20the,on%20U.S.%20coins%20in%201864.

It's the national motto as well.

and

Virginia requires it's display.

And a Democratic governor is the one who signed the law requiring it.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2002/06/28/va-schools-forge-ahead-with-national-motto/c1a2521b-73d8-4b54-87b0-7bbd2b30e599/

[Anonymous]

Stop being so intolerant. People are allowed to believe in God. Just ignore it.

[Anonymous]

OP said she thought it was legal.

I agree with OP that it probably is legal, and so although I think it's tacky and annoying, I would not expend energy on this. Somebody who thinks putting up this sign is a good idea, is not going to take it down because you complain: they are only going to dig in harder. Teach your kid that people say (and post) all kinds of things: unless it's hate speech, they can ignore it. And, as they get older, they can use these cues to decide whether to talk to this person / how to talk to this person effectively.

[Anonymous]

You seriously think the National Motto should be taken down? What kind of person….. @&$!

[Anonymous]

Does it say which god?

[Anonymous]

Is it dumb? Yes. Is it required? Also yes.

Best not to stir up trouble by looking at the principal's instagram account and assuming things.

[Anonymous]

Ugh.

I come from a Catholic country that has a very firm distance between Church and state, where every effort has been made to keep public schools free of religion. This would make me very uncomfortable.